This song is actually Sunset, Sunrise.

These were taken on the iphone that fits in my spandex, believe it or not!  The first one I shot on my “quick 4 mile jog” on Monday night around 7PM.  (I can’t believe I’m saying this was my short run), Labor Day. While hoards of people were enjoying the street entertainers in full force along the Piers, celebrating the fact that they had a day off, I was training.  Then I went to work that night too.  So I was not celebrating Labor Day, but actually laboring. 

Stop, bitter Gemma!  Anyhoo, it was fun dodging tourists down Fisherman’s Wharf and down Embarcadero.  I felt like a Mario in Super Mario Brothers dodging the mushroom guys .  I felt stealthy and alive!  And ready to straddle a flag at the end! 

Then, there’s the second lovely photo.  It was taken on my “long run day” at 7AM-Thursday.  Same place, this time it was twice as long.  8 consecutive miles.  No folks on the Piers to dodge, just freakish folks that were up at the buttcrack of dawn running FOR FUN and smiling and zipping past me.  Grrr! This time I felt like I was Mario swimming in the ocean (enter evil music from Level 2 Super Mario Brothers), flapping my arms, almost drowning, lungs begging me to stop.  

Ok-so the more I run, I realize I am not a “runner.”  Moreso an “enthusiastic jogger” as Miss Cordova schooled me on the term today.  But I am convincing myself that I have the heart of a stealthy ostrich!  (Kenya='ostrich' in English, or something like that).  Maybe not the bod and endurance and speed as a Kenyan, but a heart of one.  ?Yes, my heart.  My training watch tells me that my ticker is in good marathon-running shape.  My lungs, however, beg to differ.  My lungs were begging me to choose another cause and hobby, like strumming a ukulele.

Then after the 8 miles, I lie on the floor of my apartment and remember why I am doing this marathon in the first place...  I think of Jaden and all those afflicted with blood cancer.  Then my breath finds me once again. 

I wanted to add that Nanay Julie is sipping her coffee and eating her pan de sal in heaven.  The Diwas send their thanks to all those who sent their prayers.

6 weeks down, 10 more left.  Thank you to all those who have put their faith in me and this cause:  Team 42, Uncle Art, Krissan (she’s getting married next month!), my nursing superstars: Leanne, Linh and Yolanda; Miss Aivy Cordova (she’s doing a ½ marathon also in Dec), my favorite boys Kev & Gem Mateo (http://store.invisiblestripes.com/gems.aspx), and to KJacinto and CSarte (who I am looking forward to meeting someday)… Thank you for continuing to motivate me and thank you from LLS.  I appreciate you and your faith in us & this cause!  Love / gemma